Heel-protector for shoes.



Patented July 4, |899.

E. SLAUSN.` HEEL PROTECTOR FOR SHOES.

(Application led Aug. 29, 1896.)

(No Modell) we Noms Parras co, mmmnuq., msummm: o. c.

UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

IIuILY sLAUsoN, or RACINE, WISCONSIN.

HEEL-PROTECTOR FOR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 628,188, dated July 4, 1899.

Appiimiot fried August 29,1896.

T0 all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMILY SLAUSON, of Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful' Improvement in Heel-Protectors for Shoes, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in heel-protectors for foot-gear.

The object is to provide an improved arrangement and combination of an interior guard or protecting-strip at the heel of the shoe, so that rubbing or abrading of the heel experienced in walking is avoided, thereby saving not only the sock or stocking from wear, but the shoe-lining as well, and, furthermore, preventing the disagreeable blistering of the heel of the foot.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis an elevation of a shoe, showing a portion `thereof broken away to illustrate the application of my invention to the interior thereof. Fig. 2 is'a detail of the protecting-strip; and Fig. 3 is a similar View to Fig. l, showing a slight modication in the protectingstrip.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 4: indicates an ordinary form of ladys shoe. In combination with the 'shoe I provide a protecting-strip, advisedly of some soft material, such as ribbed wool and cotton. This material is indicated in the accompanying drawings by the numeral 5 and is represented with the ribs extending vertically. The strip 5 is designed to be arranged within the rear or heel portion of the shoe, the material being curved around the back of the shoe and then extended along opposite sides for a desired distance. It is attached at its upper edge to the shoe, and in order to offer as little obstruction as possible to the heel when the shoe is being put upon the foot this upper edge is passed beneath the top edge lining 6 of the shoe and secured between said lining and the main lining by stitches 7. The lower edge and the sides of the strip should be free and -should extend to, or approximately to, the insole.

It is a Well-known fact that in walking there is a constant rubbing or friction between the heel of the foot and the back oi Serial No. 604,277. (No model.)

the shoe, particularly at the part of the shoe where the counter joins the back, there being a slight inward bend at such point. This constantrubbing soon wears out the lining of the shoe as well as the heel of the stocking or sock and frequently causes a disagreeable blistering of the heel of the foot. All

- of these difficulties are eectually avoided by the use of my invention, as I provide a strip of material interposedbetween the heel of the foot and the back of the shoe, said materialv adapted to receive directly the rubbing action of the heel, and being left free at its lower edge and side edges it follows the movement of the heel of the foot, whereby no rubbing whatever directly on the rheel is produced.

While, as previously stated, I prefer to vform the strip of'ribbed wool and cotton, yet

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as any other desirable soft substance may be used-as, for instance, buckskin, which latter has been found by experience to secure good results. Where a material composed of ribbed wool and cotton is used, however, it is advisable to arrange such material so that the ribs will extend vertically. This prevents entirely wrinkling or curling up of the material when the heel is withdrawn from the shoe.

It will be noticed that in Figs. l and 2, which are intended to illustrate the material as composed of ribbed wool and cotton, the ribs are shown as vertical throughout the entire length of the strip. In the form illustrated in Fig. 3, which also represents a ribbed wool and cotton strip, the ribs terminate somewhat short of the upper edge of the material, leaving the upper portion of a plain stitch or unribbed, as indicated at 8. This plain portion is intended to be inserted beneath the lining 6 and to receive the stitches 7 The plain'or unribbed portion being thin- 'ner than the main ribbed portion of the strip is better adapted to iit smoothly beneath the lining 6 and to thereby cause less bulge upon the interior of the shoe.

My protector may be applied to the shoe either during the process otmaking the shoe or after said shoe is completed. Where, however, the upper edge of the strip is stitched beneath the top edge lining 6, it is more con- IGC venientlyapplied during the process of makl and extending around the sides of the shoe The invention is more particularly in tended for use in connection with the more common machine-made shoes which are Worn by the masses of the people rathel` than with the vmore expensive hand-made quality, as the former are made to fit the last, while the 1atter more accurately t the foot of the wearer.

What I claim as my invention is- In a heel-protector, the combination, with a shoe, of a strip of soft material applied to the interior of the shoe at the back thereof,

for a desired distance, the strip being secu red only at its upper edge to the shoe so as to leave the side edges and the lower edge of said strip free, thereby adapting the strip to follow the different movements of the heel of the foot.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EMILY SLAUSON. Witnesses:

ARTHUR L. MoRsELL, ANNA V. FAUST. 

